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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State Rep. Mike Sturla
State Rep. Barb McIlvaine Smith State
Rep. James Roebuck |
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Sturla, McIlvaine Smith and Roebuck introduce special ed funding formula bill
HARRISBURG, April 29 – State Reps. Mike Sturla, D-Lancaster, Barb McIlvaine Smith, D-Chester, and James Roebuck, D-Phila., today unveiled legislation (H.B. 704) to make the state’s special education funding formula more equitable.
"Special education is currently distributed based on an estimate that the average daily enrollment of each district includes 16 percent of special education students. This formula has become outdated and unfair," Sturla said. "House Bill 704 will correct this problem and implement comprehensive reforms suggested by a recent special education costing-out study."
McIlvaine Smith, who is chairman of House Education Committee’s Subcommittee on Special Education, added, "Our proposal includes a funding formula with built-in accountability based on actual numbers of students in special education, rather than the current arbitrary number. It is our responsibility to ensure each child receives the educational funding he or she needs in order to succeed."
"It was a great accomplishment last year when we applied the findings of the costing out study last year to redirect our basic education funding formula, increasing the funding adequacy and equity for school districts," House Education Committee Chairman Roebuck said. "Now, we must build on that progress by turning our attention to the special education formula and make sure we’re spending every dollar in the most efficient way possible. We owe that to the students, families and the taxpayers whose future depends upon a well-educated workforce."
Under H.B. 704, the special education funding formula would mirror the basic education formula, so that each district receives state funds based on: (1) a five-year average of actual student enrollment in special education; (2) a single multiplier of 1.3, reflecting additional costs for educating students with all levels of disability above the "base cost" for other students; (3) an additional multiplier providing funding for districts that raise their average rate and quality of educating eligible students in regular classrooms; and (4) annual adjustments for inflation, local wealth, tax effort and local cost factors.
Sturla noted that the Contingency Fund would be maintained and prioritized for districts with low wealth and utilized to provide resources for unanticipated extraordinary expenses. The bill would also enhance the current accountability system for special education to ensure that school districts use funding effectively to meet student needs and do not over-identify students.
To date, 35 organizations are supporting this special education funding change. For a listing of these groups and other background material for H.B. 704, go to www.pahouse.com/Sturla.
The bill currently has 54 co-sponsors, both Democrat and Republican.
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